Practical Science key terms Flashcards

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1
Q

When is a measurement valid?

A

when it measures what it is supposed to be measuring

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2
Q

When is a result accurate?

A

when it is close to the TRUE value

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3
Q

What are precise results?

A

when repeat measurements are consistent with each other

don’t have to be close to the true value

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4
Q

What is repeatability?

A

how precise repeated measurements are when they are taken by the SAME person, using the SAME equipment under the SAME conditions

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5
Q

What is reproducibility?

A

how precise repeated measurements are when they are taken by DIFFERENT people using DIFFERENT equipment

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6
Q

What is the uncertainty of a measurement?

A

the interval in which the true value can sit in

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7
Q

Define measurement error?

A

the difference between the true value and the measured value

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8
Q

What type of error is caused by results varying around the true value in an unpredictable way?

A

random error

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9
Q

What is a systematic error?

A

a consistent difference between the measured values and the true values

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10
Q

What does zero error mean?

A

a measuring instrument gives a false reading when the true value should be zero

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11
Q

Which variable is changed or selected by the investigator?

A

independent variable

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12
Q

What is a dependent variable?

A

a variable measured every time the independent variable is changed

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13
Q

Define a fair test?

A

a test in which only the independent variable is allowed to affect the dependent variable

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14
Q

What are control variables?

A

variables that should be kept constant to avoid them affecting the dependent variable

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